Latest news with #AlIttihad
Saudi Gazette
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Ittihad end six-year wait to reclaim King's Cup crown
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Al Ittihad brought the King's Cup back to their trophy cabinet for the first time since 2018 with a 3-1 win over Al Qadsiah on Friday night at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, in front of a packed stadium led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who presented the cup to team captain Karim Benzema. The victory secured Ittihad's 10th title in the competition's history, reaffirming their legacy in one of Saudi football's most prestigious tournaments. It marked a triumphant return to form for the Jeddah-based club, which had endured a six-year drought marked by managerial instability and fluctuating form. Founded in 1927, Ittihad has been intertwined with the history of the King's Cup, winning its first title in 1958. Through eras of dominance and reinvention, the club has consistently remained a powerhouse, from its golden run in the 1990s to this current resurgence under head coach Laurent year's campaign culminated in a powerful final performance, with the squad — featuring global stars like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Moussa Diaby — showing cohesion, composure, and who took over at the start of the season, crafted a balanced squad that blended veteran leadership with youthful atmosphere in Jeddah was electric as tens of thousands filled the stands, with Al Ittihad fans providing deafening support chants echoed as the team lifted the cup in a sea of black and yellow, marking a night to remember for the Tigers title follows Ittihad's Saudi Pro League triumph earlier in the season and sets the stage for another ambitious campaign — both domestically and on the continental stage — with the club eyeing further silverware and a return to its dominant best.
Saudi Gazette
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Benzema steals the show as Al Ittihad lift King's Cup in Jeddah
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — On a golden night in Jeddah, Karim Benzema capped off a stellar season by being named Best Player of the 2025 King's Cup final after leading Al Ittihad to a 3-1 victory over Al Qadsiah. The French striker was instrumental at King Abdullah Sports City, scoring twice to secure the title for Al Ittihad in front of 60,000 fans. His smart movement and experience were on full display in one of the club's biggest games of the season. The award, presented by the Saudi National Bank—the official sponsor of the tournament—highlighted Benzema's decisive impact on the match as well as his consistency throughout the campaign. Just days after lifting the Saudi Pro League trophy, Benzema added another honor to his impressive debut season in Saudi Arabia, delivering a title, a goal, and a standout performance on the Kingdom's biggest football stage.
The Star
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Benzema leads Al-Ittihad to Saudi Cup win and domestic double
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Ittihad v Damac - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - May 26, 2025 Al Ittihad's Karim Benzema lifts the trophy after winning the Saudi Pro League REUTERS/Stringer (Reuters) -Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema scored twice to lead his side to a 3-1 victory over Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Cup final on Friday as they completed the domestic double. Laurent Blanc's side dominated the game to win the cup for the 10th time, while Al-Qadsiah finished the game with 10 men after Ezequiel Fernandez was sent off in the 81st minute. Moussa Diaby nearly put Al-Ittihad ahead but missed a chance in the 21st minute. Al-Qadsiah's former Spain defender Nacho escaped conceding a penalty when the ball touched his hand, but the referee didn't award a spot kick despite a VAR check in the 32nd minute. Benzema opened the scoring for the Saudi Pro League champions, using his chest to convert Steven Bergwijn's precise cross 11 minutes before the interval. Houssem Aouar made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute by following up after Koen Casteels saved a header from Benzema. Al-Qadsiah's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. Benzema, who won the SPL Player of the Season, hit the bar after the break, but Al-Ittihad were more cautious as they looked to maintain their lead. Al-Ittihad keeper Predrag Rajkovic saved Aubameyang's shot in the 80th minute and Al-Qadsiah suffered a big blow when Ezequiel Fernandez received a second yellow card, forcing them to play with 10 men for the final minutes. Then 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema scored his side's third goal, firing in Diaby's low cross in stoppage time, before Aubameyang's shot hit the woodwork. (Reporting by Mohamed Yossry in CairoEditing by Toby Davis)
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Benzema leads Al-Ittihad to Saudi Cup win and domestic double
Soccer Football - Saudi King's Cup - Final - Al Ittihad v Al Qadsiah - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - May 30, 2025 Al Ittihad's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal with Steven Bergwijn REUTERS/Stringer Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Ittihad v Damac - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - May 26, 2025 Al Ittihad's Karim Benzema celebrates with the trophy after winning the Saudi Pro League REUTERS/Stringer Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Ittihad v Damac - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - May 26, 2025 Al Ittihad's Karim Benzema receives the Saudi Pro League trophy from Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, Minister of Sport in Saudi Arabia REUTERS/Stringer Soccer Football - Saudi King's Cup - Final - Al Ittihad v Al Qadsiah - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - May 30, 2025 Al Ittihad's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates REUTERS/Stringer Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Ittihad v Damac - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - May 26, 2025 Al Ittihad's Karim Benzema lifts the trophy after winning the Saudi Pro League REUTERS/Stringer Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema scored twice to lead his side to a 3-1 victory over Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Cup final on Friday as they completed the domestic double. Laurent Blanc's side dominated the game to win the cup for the 10th time, while Al-Qadsiah finished the game with 10 men after Ezequiel Fernandez was sent off in the 81st minute. Moussa Diaby nearly put Al-Ittihad ahead but missed a chance in the 21st minute. Al-Qadsiah's former Spain defender Nacho escaped conceding a penalty when the ball touched his hand, but the referee didn't award a spot kick despite a VAR check in the 32nd minute. Benzema opened the scoring for the Saudi Pro League champions, using his chest to convert Steven Bergwijn's precise cross 11 minutes before the interval. Houssem Aouar made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute by following up after Koen Casteels saved a header from Benzema. Al-Qadsiah's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. Benzema, who won the SPL Player of the Season, hit the bar after the break, but Al-Ittihad were more cautious as they looked to maintain their lead. Al-Ittihad keeper Predrag Rajkovic saved Aubameyang's shot in the 80th minute and Al-Qadsiah suffered a big blow when Ezequiel Fernandez received a second yellow card, forcing them to play with 10 men for the final minutes. Then 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema scored his side's third goal, firing in Diaby's low cross in stoppage time, before Aubameyang's shot hit the woodwork. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
8 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Benzema leads Al-Ittihad to Saudi Cup win and domestic double
May 30 (Reuters) - Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema scored twice to lead his side to a 3-1 victory over Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Cup final on Friday as they completed the domestic double. Laurent Blanc's side dominated the game to win the cup for the 10th time, while Al-Qadsiah finished the game with 10 men after Ezequiel Fernandez was sent off in the 81st minute. Moussa Diaby nearly put Al-Ittihad ahead but missed a chance in the 21st minute. Al-Qadsiah's former Spain defender Nacho escaped conceding a penalty when the ball touched his hand, but the referee didn't award a spot kick despite a VAR check in the 32nd minute. Benzema opened the scoring for the Saudi Pro League champions, using his chest to convert Steven Bergwijn's precise cross 11 minutes before the interval. Houssem Aouar made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute by following up after Koen Casteels saved a header from Benzema. Al-Qadsiah's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. Benzema, who won the SPL Player of the Season, hit the bar after the break, but Al-Ittihad were more cautious as they looked to maintain their lead. Al-Ittihad keeper Predrag Rajkovic saved Aubameyang's shot in the 80th minute and Al-Qadsiah suffered a big blow when Ezequiel Fernandez received a second yellow card, forcing them to play with 10 men for the final minutes. Then 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema scored his side's third goal, firing in Diaby's low cross in stoppage time, before Aubameyang's shot hit the woodwork.
